Robi Botos has been hailed as one of the most diverse multi-instrumentalists of this generation. From the hard-bop style of Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock, to the swing of Oscar Peterson and the heartfelt melodic expression of Mulgrew Miller and Cedar Walton, Robi has managed to master the technique of his idols, all while showcasing his musical expressions in a voice that is purely his own. While Robi is known for being a strong player in the traditional jazz and funk fields, he always incorporates an element of the music he grew up listening to into his playing. Says organist, trumpeter and pianist Joey Defrancesco: “Robi is one of the most swingin’, soulful, funky, world class players I’ve ever heard, and he has a technique like you can’t believe. Definitely one of my very favorite players!!!”

Born of Romani descent in Hungary, Robi taught himself first to play drums as a young child, and got his initial taste of being a professional musician working throughout Budapest. Robi was first introduced to the piano when he was 7 years old, and never looked back. He continued to perform throughout Hungary and when he turned 20, decided to move his wife and children to Canada, to further pursue the career he was born for. Now 20 years later, Robi has solidified himself as one of the most sought-after pianists in the country.

Immediately after coming to Canada, Robi immersed himself into both the Canadian and international jazz scene. In 2004, he traveled to Montreux to compete in the Montreux Jazz Festival’s solo piano competition, where he placed first. His prize? Returning the following year to open for one of the headlining artists. That artists happened to be one of Robi’s idols - Oscar Peterson. Unknowingly to Robi, Peterson sat in the wings as Robi performed and upon their return to Canada, the two would form a friendship that resulted in Robi being one of OP’s final mentees. Over the next few years, Robi would continue to participate in and win global prizes and awards including the International “Jazz Hoeilaart” band competition in Belgium, the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) award in California, and the “Martial Solal Piano Competition” in Paris. In 2006, Robi would receive his first JUNO Award nomination for his participation in the ALMA Records release, “One Take.”

Since moving to Canada, Robi has been given the chance to work with many of the greats in his industry including Al Jarreau, Branford Marsalis, Christian McBride, Terri Lyne Carrington, Joey Defrancesco, Steve Gadd and Chaka Khan and has participated in projects with Michel Legrand, Chick Corea, Bill Charlap, Benny Green, and Kenny Barron. Robi wasted no time laying down roots in Toronto. He has been the pianist of choice for Officer of the Order of Canada, Molly Johnson, for close to 15  years and has worked extensively with some of Canada’s most celebrated players including Dave Young, Phil Dwyer, Archie Alleyne, Oliver Jones, Renee Rosnes, Sophie Milman, Paul Novotny, Carol Welsman and more.

Along with being a first-call pianist for some of the top artists around the world, as well as leading his own groups in sold-out shows nationwide, Robi is also a highly sought-after composer. In 2013, Robi composed the score for a film that was deeply personal to him. Aaron Yeger’s “A People Uncounted” tells the story of the rich culture and history of the Romani people (commonly refered to as ‘Gypsies’) in Europe. The film specifically focuses on the mistreatment and devastation of the Romani people during the Holocaust. This moving project was nominated for a Producer’s Guild Award in 2014. Since then, Robi’s music can also be heard on Stella Meghie’s 2016 film “Jean of the Joneses,” which received 2 nominations at the Canadian Screen Awards. Robi also contributed to the soundtrack of the 2013 Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon film “Arbitrage”.

"Simply beautiful Cat.  You can feel it in every note he plays"  -QUINCY JONES

Justin Kauflin is an award-winning “jazz pianist who favors a clarity of touch and ideas...his writing is balanced tempering post-bop intricacies with the assurances of the gospel church” -New York Times.   After losing his sight at the age of 11, Kauflin gravitated towards playing jazz piano, despite having a background in classical violin & piano.  He received top honors at jazz festivals across the U.S. and began performing jazz professionally by age 14, most notably with the Jae Sinnett Trio.  In 2008, he graduated summa cum laude from William Paterson University, NJ where he studied with his heroes, Mulgrew Miller and Harold Mabern; and was mentored by and performed with the legendary trumpet/flugelhorn player, Clark Terry (2010 Grammy winner for Lifetime Achievement in Jazz).  He continued to garner numerous awards such as the VSA International Young Soloist Award, selected as a semifinalist in the 2012 Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition, and voted “Jazz Artist of the Year” in VEER Magazine. 

Kauflin is featured in, as well as composed the film score for, the Oscar short-listed documentary, "Keep On Keepin' On.” Justin shares Clark Terry's passion for jazz education through the Keep On Keepin' On Jazz Outreach and as a U.S. Department of State Jazz Ambassador.  He has been an adjunct faculty member/adjudicator for the Monterey Jazz Festival, Centrum Port Townsend Jazz, Vail Jazz Workshop, Lionel Hampton Jazz and Notre Dame Jazz with John Clayton and Jazz Maui with Katie Thiroux. 

As leader, player, composer and producer, Justin Kauflin has released 10 recordings to date and collaborated on 30+ albums. In 2015, Justin had the incredible honor of performing on Oscar Peterson's personal Bosendorfer for "Oscar, with Love," along with 16 world-class pianists and in 2024 Justin released his first vinyl live recording, "Justin Kauflin Trio Live at Sam First."

During the pandemic shutdown, Justin focused on film scoring and sound design, completing projects for full-length documentaries, commercials and trailers. 

He has been on faculty at The Governor's School for the Arts in Norfolk, VA since 2022.  Justin also initiated the Jazz Night GSA Concert Series, which features prominent jazz musicians from the region and beyond,  so that  students and the wider community can appreciate live music in a concert setting, free of charge.

​Justin Kauflin is dedicated to creating and sharing music that excites, energizes and nourishes the soul.  He is signed for management by impresario and music icon, Quincy Jones and is a Yamaha Artist.

Multiple JUNO award winner Mike Downes has been a prominent fixture both within the Canadian music scene and abroad, praised for his limitless versatility, seemingly effortless technique and uniquely melodic approach to the bass. Mike is not only an award-winning jazz bassist, but is recognized as a complete musician, equally masterful as a composer, arranger and educator.

Mike has performed worldwide for over 4 decades with virtually all of Canada's top jazz musicians, including Officer of the Order of Canada Molly Johnson (as musical director), PJ Perry, Lorne Lofsky, Don Thompson, Kirk MacDonald, Robi Botos and Pat LaBarbera. He has performed with international artists Pat Metheny, Chris Potter, Michael Brecker, John Abercrombie, Peter Erskine, Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Dave Liebman and many others. Mike’s extensive and award-winning discography includes 7 albums as a leader (with his 8th to be released in March 2024), over 70 albums as a side musician and even more as a composer, arranger and producer.

Mike began playing bass at the age of eight, encouraged by his bass-playing father. He also studied trombone and piano and was quickly recognized as a upcoming talent. He began performing as a teenager in Winnipeg, Canada, playing in diverse settings from rock bands to big bands and from corporate functions to television and radio shows. After being named “Jazz Musician of the Year” in Silver Heights Collegiate, a high school reputed for its music program, he was offered a full scholarship to study bass and trombone at St. F. X. University in Nova Scotia. He then completed a Bachelor of Music degree at McGill University in Montreal. Already balancing a professional career with his studies, he was awarded a Canada Council Grant to study with bassists Dave Holland and John Clayton shortly after graduating. Mike moved to Toronto in 1990, and later completed a Masters’ degree in Music Composition at York University.

In 1994 Mike formed the Mike Downes Quartet, featuring saxophonist Phil Dwyer, pianist Dave Restivo and drummer Ted Warren. That group performed regularly and in 1995 recorded Mike’s first album as a leader, entitled Forces. The same group recorded his second album Then while on a cross-Canada tour. In 2004 Mike released The Winds of Change, followed by Ripple Effect, featuring pianist Robi Botos and drummer Ethan Ardelli. Ripple Effect won the 2014 JUNO Award for Traditional Jazz Album of the Year. Following that Mike ventured into large-ensemble writing and released In the Current featuring an 11-piece chamber jazz group. Mike’s recording Root Structure, featuring his quartet with celebrated musicians Robi Botos, Ted Quinlan and Larnell Lewis won Jazz Album of the Year: Solo at the 2018 JUNO Awards.

In 2022, Mike embarked on an ambitious solo bass project, releasing his album Mind Mirrors. Other recent projects have included writing and performing arrangements for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra featuring Molly Johnson, composing, arranging, performing and co-producing Billy Newton Davis’s upcoming album and performing shows in Europe, Canada and the US. In 2024, Mike will release his newest recording The Way In, featuring longtime collaborators Robi Botos (piano and keyboards) and Ted Quinlan (electric and acoustic guitars), along with guest percussionists Joaquin Nunez Hildalgo and Davide Di Renzo on several of the tracks. The album sees Mike exploring the compositional and orchestration aesthetics of large ensemble writing distilled down to a trio format in which the nuances are front and centre. The drummer-less group, inspired by the early Ahmad Jamal Trio (Chamber Music of the New Jazz), the Oscar Peterson Trio with Ray Brown and Herb Ellis and others highlights a chamber music perspective while showcasing the improvisational brilliance of each musician.

Helping to mentor and inspire young musicians has been an important part of Mike’s career. He is the author of The Jazz Bass Line Book, receiving world-wide acclaim as one of the most informative books available on the subject. He was the bass department head at Humber College in Toronto for over 20 years and has been featured as a Yamaha artist/clinician throughout Canada and beyond, from South Korea to the infamous Paris Conservatory.

Ulf Wakenius held for nearly eleven years what may be the most prestigious spot in jazz for a guitarist - membership in the Oscar Peterson Quartet. His predecessors have been such legends as Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis, and Joe Pass. He has performed at such classic jazz venues as Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, the Blue Note and played for large crowds around the world. He has also appeared on American television(CBS) and Tv Globo(Brazil) with Oscar Peterson. Last year he recorded "Trail of Dreams" with Oscar Peterson and Michel Legrand, for the Telarc label, and during recent years he has also played with such outstanding musicians as, Milt Jackson, Ray Brown, Joe Henderson, Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker, Phil Woods, Clark Terry, Johnny Griffin, Toots Thielemans, Jack DeJohnette, Max Roach, Jim Hall, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, James Moody, Roy Hargrove, Randy Brecker. He has recorded two CDs, also for Telarc with the great Ray Brown: "Seven Steps To Heaven" which became number one in the U.S. jazz charts, and "Summertime" which was voted as one of the top ten albums of `98 in America.Lately he has lead a Stellar Quintet of his own featuring:Mike Brecker and Ray Brown.Last year he did a sold out U.S. tour with Oscar Peterson.The highlight of the tour was the Hollywood Bowl concert with 17 000 people in the audience.

Ulf Wakenius was born in Halmstad, Sweden on April 16, 1958. He began playing the guitar at the age of 11, inspired by other guitarists in the neighbourhood of his new hometown, Gothenburg.

After picking up the guitar Ulf never looked back. In the beginning he was inspired by virtuoso electric blues guitar players but soon moved to more jazz-orientated music. John McLaughlin became Ulf's new guitar hero. (John later wrote liner notes for one of Ulf's solo-albums).

At the age of 17 Ulf was already established as a jazz musician playing with different Swedish groups. During the following years he toured all over Europe. In the beginning of the '80s Ulf founded the duo "Guitars Unlimited" together with Peter Almqvist. They toured in many parts of the world and appeared frequently on Swedish Television. The highlight in their career was a performance in the 1985 Melody Grand Prix, a historic event which was seen by 600 million viewers, (probably the the largest audience a jazz-guitar duo has ever had).

In the mid-'80s Ulf also received the opportunity to record a solo album in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. He was fortunate to be able to gather together such fantastic musicians as Sivuca, Luizao, Paolo Braga (Elis Regina), Nico Assumpcao (Milton Nascimento) among others. The record became a hit in Sweden with considerable airplay, even making it to the Swedish Top - "Svensktoppen", a programme where one seldom hears any jazz. The "Brazil venture" was the beginning of a life-long love of the Brazilian culture. Later Ulf returned with Oscar Peterson and performed for 35, 000 people in Sao Paolo.

Jim Doxas, a native Montréaler, was born into an artistically vibrant family, his father a classical guitarist, educator and recording engineer, and brother a saxophonist and composer. Before finding the drums, Jim played a number of other instruments: piano, violin, trumpet and French horn. Working alongside his father as a recording engineer was Jim’s first love. This all changed in his teens when he was “forced” to record acoustic drums for his father’s jingles...

While studying at Montréal’s McGill University, Jim established himself early on as versatile percussionist. The pool of strong drummers and percussionists in the city heavily influenced him. During his time at McGill, Jim was honoured with Yamaha’s Rising Star Award in recognition of outstanding achievement as an instrumentalist. In addition, he was a featured artist at Carnegie Hall in a gala performance celebrating young North American talent. Throughout his undergraduate degree, Jim studied with renowned pedagogue and drummer, John Riley.

Jim has been heavily influenced by rock, jazz, Motown and World Music. His work can be heard on over 150 albums and soundtracks, and he is a popular featured artist at jazz festivals worldwide. Distinguished for his improvisational approach to jazz, he makes the case that percussion can be as performative as a lyrical instrument. What distinguishes Doxas’ approach to improvisation is that he refuses to play it safe, allowing the moment to dictate the kind of framework that will contain, shape and guide the piece of music. He is astutely committed to the belief that significant music is always distinguished by what is left unsaid, the gaps of which inspire him to produce a highly original vocabulary of accents. During the last several years, Jim has been recognized by way of receiving Felix and Juno Awards, as well as nominations for Academy and Grammy Awards. He was also the drummer in the Oliver Jones Trio for over a decade.

Doxas puts premium importance on music education by conducting masterclasses and teaching at various music academies around the world. His current projects include Riverside (in collaboration with Dave Douglas, Steve Swallow, and Chet Doxas), Jean-Michel Pilc trio and the Jim Doxas Trio. Jim is currently a lecturer and teacher at McGill University, while also balancing an active performance schedule.

Producer and Artist Representative, Céline Peterson, works with some of the most exciting internationally acclaimed jazz artists on the scene today, including JUNO Award winners Caity Gyorgy,Jim Doxas, and Robi Botos, acclaimed vocalist Paul Marinaro, tap dancing storyteller Travis Knights, Canada's beloved songstress Jackie Richardson, Member to the Order of Canada, Dr. Dave Young, pianist Ben Paterson, and the Doxas Brothers. Also an experienced producer, Céline’s live event credits include Jazz at Lincoln Center, Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts, Massey Hall, and nearly eight years as a producer of Toronto’s Kensington Market Jazz Festival.

Céline’s career began as a teenager when she started working in Social Media Management and then in 2014, she transitioned to Management at the suggestion of long-time friend, Dave Young. Her efforts and successes have put her at the top of the list for artists who want to work with a representative with a unique understanding of the industry and a track record with dedication first and foremost to supporting the artist’s goals. As an Artist Representative, Céline chooses to adapt her services to fit the needs of the artists she is working with, believing that every artist is entitled to representation. With advocacy being an integral part of accurate representation as far as Céline is concerned, her goal is to encourage a shift in the industry so that sacrificing artistic integrity becomes a less common practice for those who wish to reach certain milestones as artists.

"Céline Peterson is a brave and articulate champion for Jazz. A valiant writer and speaker who works lovingly and tirelessly for the cause of dedicated musicians. Her brilliant mind and deep heart motivate her outspoken support for the present and future of music education. With honest humility and courage, she speaks the truth of the immeasurable importance for our evolving society to realize that Jazz is a precious art form for us to invest ourselves in and to treat with care, dignity and devotion. I’m grateful for Céline’s encouragement of my efforts, because her sincerity won’t ever allow her to “pretend” where the sanctity of music is concerned. Céline is the real deal and the international Jazz community is blessed by her humanity, soul and voice." - Benny Green

From 2016 - 2022, Céline was a producer of the Kensington Market Jazz Festival, which takes place each fall in the heart of downtown Toronto. Céline has also worked extensively with Coalition Canada and their Youth4Music initiative as an Ambassador, participating annually in their Music Monday celebrations. A proud advocate for the up-and-coming generations of musicians, in addition to her work with the Coalition, Céline has done workshops at various schools including Durham College, and The Chicago Academy for the Arts. The opportunity to interact with people behind the voices that will shape the future is a significant priority for Céline - not because she needs to be heard but because she wants to hear from them in order to lend her support and aid in amplifying their voices.

Since 2018, Céline has worked with Christine Mori and Alexis Spieldenner at Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts. Céline has been a part of several presentations at their multi-genre festival. Highlights include two years as Artistic Producer of their annual Voices of Freedom concert. This unique event has seen performances from Monty Alexander's Harlem-Kingston Express, GRAMMY Award winner Larnell Lewis, multi JUNO Award winners Robi Botos, and Mike Downes, acclaimed vocalist Jackie Richardson, bassist and educator Bakithi Kumalo, saxophonist Joseph Callender, and students from Laura Secord Secondary School's concert choir and band. Céline has also curated International Jazz Day programming for Bravo Niagara!, which in 2020 included a brand new arrangement of Max Roach's Freedom Day by Larnell Lewis, featuring Lewis, Dione Taylor, Robi Botos, Mike Downes and Matt Woroshyl. The 2020 IJD programming also included virtual performances from Lara Driscoll, Laila Biali and Paul Marinaro as well as a celebration of Dr. Billy Taylor's centennial featuring Monty Alexander and Brandon Goldberg, and 'A Conversation with John Clayton & Howard Reich'. In 2022 for the return of their in-person IJD celebrations, Céline brought together veteran members of Oscar Peterson's quartet, Jeff Hamilton, Dave Young and Ulf Wakenius with special guest Jocelyn Gould and featuring Robi Botos on piano for 'The Music of Oscar Peterson'. Céline was also on the Production Team for Bravo’s brand new ballet, Kimiko’s Pearl, which held its world premiere in June 2024. ‘Kimiko’s Pearl’ unfurls the bittersweet story of one family – spanning four generations – set against the turbulent backdrop of WWII. To learn more click here.

In February 2019, the 70th anniversary of Oscar Peterson’s US debut at Carnegie Hall was commemorated at Jazz At Lincoln Center’s Appel Room, with “Piano Master: The Oscar Peterson Story.” For this remarkable 2-night event, Céline called upon 2x GRAMMY Award-winning bassist, composer, arranger, and bandleader John Clayton to act as Musical Director. This special program featured performances from Gerald Clayton, Bill Charlap, Ben Paterson, Robi Botos, Kenny Barron, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Paul Marinaro, Jeff Hamilton, and Ulf Wakenius. Also in 2019 Céline joined in the celebrations for jazz legend Art Blakey’s centennial at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Jazz Congress, moderating a panel that brought together more than 25 of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and was the first reunion of its size in celebration of this jazz icon and his legacy. Panellists included Wynton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, Benny Green, Melissa Slocum, Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker, Branford Marsalis, Harold Mabern, Ralph Peterson Jr. and more.

One clear theme in most aspects of Peterson’s work is her dedication to celebrating legacy. In 2022 she joined forces with pianist, composer and Executive Director of Neranenah in Atlanta, Joe Alterman, to produce a celebration of the life and work of jazz music’s greatest and most prominent impresario, Norman Granz. While Granz’s name is surely known to jazz fans as founder of Verve Records and Jazz At The Philharmonic, outside of those circles few are aware of his immense impact not just on the jazz artform but on Civil Rights. Through music and conversation, Benny Green, John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton along with Alterman came together to pay tribute to “The Man Who Used Jazz For Justice.”

Céline also has a history in broadcasting. In May of 2019, Céline joined the team at JAZZCAST.ca where she hosted No, I Do Not Play Piano, a weekly program dedicated to music that she has connected to over the years. JAZZCAST was founded in 2019 by Dani Elwell, Garvia Bailey, Walter Venafro and Heather Bambrick. JAZZCAST was an online platform where listeners can enjoy 24/7 jazz programming as well as curated programs from an impressive list of hosts. In 2022, Céline continued the program when it moved to JAZZ.FM91 alongside other Jazzcast programming. The show concluded in fall of 2022.

Céline currently sits on the Board of Directors at Calgary’s BuckingJamPalace (BJP); a family organization rooted in intimate live performances educational programming. Since its inception from founders Lisa and Tom Buck, BJP has contributed significantly towards the enrichment of the jazz scene in western Canada and has expanded the organization’s scope to include new and exciting initiatives rooted in artistic expression and excellence. Born from their friendship and like-minded goals, BJP Artistic Director Lisa Buck, Board President Jodi Lucas (CKUA), and Peterson joined forces to launch SASS Artist Management, a new start-up focusing on amplifying and supporting female-identifying voices within music in Canada.

Within 2022-2024, Céline enjoyed working on additional projects including Jazz.FM91’s Discover Women in Jazz Series, a new recording of Oscar Peterson’s Hymn To Freedom to commemorate the song’s 60th anniversary, and was selected as Curator for the Canadian Music Centre’s new concert series, Jazz at the Centre, which is approaching its third season.

Looking ahead to 2025, Céline is hard at work on planning for a year of celebration of what would be Oscar Peterson’s Centennial. There are a series of exceptional events and projects scheduled throughout the year from The Estate of Oscar Peterson in collaboration with the production team of Peterson and Jim Doxas. The first announcements for this occasion will be made on August 15, 2024, so visit OscarPeterson.com to be the first to receive updates.